The last column looked at a few games which I felt stood out from the rest of the crowd. This time, I’m looking at games companies. Don’t worry, I’m not simply going to repeat the publishing companies of the three games listed in part 1; that would be trite, as well as making this a pointless read. No, the companies here are different, and their inclusion is not based on any single title.

Somewhere, just over the horizon, is the dangling carrot that motivates me to click on the link to Blizzard.com every morning just after I check my e-mail. It doesn?t take long. I?ve been doing it for so long now that I don?t even think about it anymore. I just ?click? and within a few seconds I know that patch 1.10 for D2 isn?t released yet and then I drive on with the rest of my day. But, one of these days, hopefully sooner than later, I?ll be calling in sick to work on my cellular phone while downloading the patch on my regular telephone and my Diablo II fever will come out of remission.

Somewhere, just over the horizon, is the dangling carrot that motivates me to click on the link to Blizzard.com every morning just after I check my e-mail. It doesn?t take long. I?ve been doing it for so long now that I don?t even think about it anymore. I just ?click? and within a few seconds I know that patch 1.10 for D2 isn?t released yet and then I drive on with the rest of my day. But, one of these days, hopefully sooner than later, I?ll be calling in sick to work on my cellular phone while downloading the patch on my regular telephone and my Diablo II fever will come out of remission.

In spite of the title, this is not meant to be a “one true list” of the best in any category. The next two installments (yes, it?s another 3-part series) will look at companies and individuals within the computer games industry.

In spite of the title, this is not meant to be a “one true list” of the best in any category. The next two installments (yes, it?s another 3-part series) will look at companies and individuals within the computer games industry.

Tomorrow is April Fool?s Day, a day with a long and proud tradition in Blizzard history. More than any other company I know, Blizzard plays with April Fool?s Day. Last year was the epic announcement of the Pandaeran Empire, a new race in WarCraft 3. In June, debate was still raging as to whether the Pandaerans would actually be in the final game. Such is the legacy of Blizzard… the give us hoaxes we really want to believe, but after being tricked so many times before, how can we? Well, if you have not looked at the WarCraft 3: The Frozen Throne expansion pack sites lately, you might be surprised to learn that the Pandaerans, or at least one of them, has indeed made the cut. So, was Blizzard really kidding? Or did they make the joke so convincing even the programmers could not resist adding Pandas to the game? Only Blizzard knows.

Tomorrow is April Fool?s Day, a day with a long and proud tradition in Blizzard history. More than any other company I know, Blizzard plays with April Fool?s Day. Last year was the epic announcement of the Pandaeran Empire, a new race in WarCraft 3. In June, debate was still raging as to whether the Pandaerans would actually be in the final game. Such is the legacy of Blizzard… the give us hoaxes we really want to believe, but after being tricked so many times before, how can we? Well, if you have not looked at the WarCraft 3: The Frozen Throne expansion pack sites lately, you might be surprised to learn that the Pandaerans, or at least one of them, has indeed made the cut. So, was Blizzard really kidding? Or did they make the joke so convincing even the programmers could not resist adding Pandas to the game? Only Blizzard knows.

At last, after months of “coming soon” this is the column you’ve all been waiting for. Of all the “coming soon” columns listed on my author info page, this one has been by far the most commented on via reader emails. So you know with all that anticipation going for it, it’s almost sure to suck. But keep reading anyway!